On Friday, December 5, AFC/M23 fired two shells into Rugombo Zone, located in what used to be Cibitoke Province.

Reports indicate that one of the shells destroyed one of the heavy weapons that the Burundian army had been using to fire on M23 positions and on heavily populated areas in Kamanyola and Katogota.

Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bizimana Edouard, posted on his X account that his country must take action in response to what M23 had done.

In a strongly worded message, he said: “AFC/M23 terrorists supported by Rwanda dropped bombs on Burundian territory on December 4, 2025. Such provocation is unacceptable, therefore appropriate measures will be taken to protect the people of Burundi.”

Gitega has voiced its frustration at a time when its forces, for four consecutive days, have been shelling civilians in Kamanyola and other parts of South Kivu Province.

As of Friday, reports indicated that 23 people had been killed in attacks carried out by the Burundian and Congolese armies in several parts of South Kivu since Tuesday this week, while many others were injured.

The attacks also destroyed infrastructure including schools and health centres, as well as people’s homes. They also forced around 1,500 Congolese to flee their homes.